Mercado 20 de Noviembre, Oaxaca
Bourdain energy in Oaxaca at Mercado 20 de Noviembre aka Pasillo de Carne Asada. We visited on a Sunday after a mezcal and ceviche so we are in the right state of mind. Personally I’ve found that going to markets on a completely empty stomach could lead to disappointment. Don’t eat with eyes or go with the first person with a smile. Treat markets like dating! How you ask?
Here’s my thoughts on how navigating a food market with tons of stalls is like dating:
1. So Many Options, So Little Time
- Food Market: There are so many stalls, each offering atleast one or two things that are unique, and you can’t try everything at once.
- Dating: There are many people out there, each with their own personality and quirks, but you can’t date them all at the same time (or at least, you probably shouldn’t).
2. The First Bite Isn’t Always the Best
- Food Market: Something might look amazing, but the taste might not live up to the hype.
- Dating: First impressions can be deceiving—someone might seem perfect on Hinge or Bumble, but chemistry in real life is a whole different story knamean?
3. Sampling Before Committing
- Food Market: They offer free samples here so eat them before deciding where to get a full meal.
- Dating: Casual dating is like sampling—you go on a few dates to see what works before diving into something serious. Lunch dates or coffee before dinner dates.
4. FOMO is Real
- Food Market: You pick one dish but then see someone else eating something that looks even better, and right next to you?!
- Dating: You start dating someone, but the “what if” of other potential matches can creep into your mind.
5. Some Things Look Better Than They Taste
- Food Market: That fancy IG dish might actually be bland and vice versa!
- Dating: People could be super attractive but lack depth, kindness, or shared values. Ride or die energy.
6. Sometimes, You Just Know
- Food Market: Emotional calling? Answer that. There’s a moment that clicks or when you take that first bite, you realize this is the one.
- Dating: Some relationships (dating or nah) click instantly—you don’t need or want to try anything else.
7. There’s No Perfect Choice—Just What’s Right for You
- Food Market: There’s no one “best” stall, just what suits your taste. Rock out with folks that share your pallet!
- Dating: The right person isn’t about being perfect, but about being a great fit for you.
8. Trying New Things Can Surprise You
- Food Market: You discover a dish you never expected to love. We tried Tasajo (thin sliced beef)
- Dating: Dating outside your “type” (read as chorizo) could lead to something unexpectedly amazing.
9. Some Experiences Leave a Bad Taste
- Food Market: You might try something that turns out awful. Lesson learned.
- Dating: Bad dates and heartbreaks help you refine what you want.
10. You Can Always Come Back for More
- Food Market: If you don’t find what you love today, you can always return another time. Just know Mercado 20 de Noviembre is open 8am-7pm 🙂
- Dating: Just because one fling or date didn’t work out doesn’t mean you won’t find the right one later.
First Look & Takeaways on Oaxaca’s BBQ
– Dial in cuz distractions are a plenty. Could be a bit of sensory overload.
– It’s smokey and the ebbs and flows of foot traffic fluctuates from super busy to calm so quickly.
– Remember: If a stall calls to you emotionally, answer – If not revert to going ample on samples.
– Good energy gives better pricing. Everything here is fairly priced as competition is right next to them. But haggling is totally normal for food here.
– Order at stall of choice, take your plastic number thingy, navigate to some folks leaving to take their place in a cozy bench style seating.
– Once you sit you’ll magically get a menu of sides – salsa, onions, lime, grilled chilis (HOT AF) and aguacate FTW obviously
– Keep one hand ready to pass sides around to other patrons! It’s expected, you’re now a part of the machine and flow. 
Would 100% recommend people who want to have the experience of eating freshly made meal. Tortilla, sauce, side, meat – all grilled up immediately and effortlessly. We got the chance to chat with locals between bites (that command silence) and took the opportunity to grab recommendations 🙂
Full Mexico Google Map including pin to Mercado 20 de Noviembre, other Oaxaca gems and recommendations coming soon!